St. Paul leaders propose changes to bolster skyway safety

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Close St. Paul’s skyways at midnight?The Pioneer Press’ Tad Vezner and Mara H. Gottfried report: “A week after a riveting and graphic city council meeting about the state of downtown St. Paul’s skyways, city officials spoke publicly about their efforts to fix the problem. … ‘It is very clear we need to take some action,’ Mayor Chris Coleman said Wednesday. … The action outlined at the press event, however, was not in reaction to the lively council meeting. Rather, city officials said these are things that have been in the works for weeks. … In particular, officials pointed to a couple of proposed ordinances, one of which will reinforce — and in some cases augment — how much building owners must pitch in to keep their own buildings safe.”

Officer-involved shooting in Crystal.The Star Tribune’s Andy Mannix reports: “A young man shot multiple times in a park by Crystal police Wednesday was carrying a toy gun and had a history of severe mental illness, according to the man’s mother. … Naomi Thompson said her 18-year-old son Khaleel Thompson is in critical condition after officers shot at him more than a dozen times during a standoff in Bassett Creek Park. She said doctors are performing several surgeries, including removing a bullet from his brain, taking out a kidney and sewing his bowels back together. ”

More to that Metro Transit immigration-status incident.The Pioneer Press’ Nick Woltman and Jaime Delage report: “The light-rail passenger asked about his immigration status by a Metro Transit police officer — subject of a widely shared Facebook video — was later hit with a Taser and arrested, according to the department’s incident report. … The passenger, whose name was not immediately released, was cited for fare evasion, obstructing the duties of an officer and providing a false name, all misdemeanors. He was booked into Hennepin County jail and released two days later, according to a Metro Transit police spokesman.”

Lots of room for improvement.MPR’s Catharine Richert reports: “In January, financial auditors said there’s substantial doubt the Rochester Art Center could survive crippling financial difficulties. At the center’s annual meeting last night, that gloomy scenario was nowhere in sight. … ‘Lots of things are happening and I can ensure to everyone that we are here now and we are here to stay,’ said Brad Nuss, the center’s board president. … He was among the RAC officials who reassured the public that the center of Rochester’s art scene isn’t going anywhere. … The center’s latest projections show budget surpluses of $50,000 and $131,000 this year and next. Those numbers reflect money saved from a recent round of layoffs.”